SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Middle Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

FELICITY

Possible Answers:

Misery 

Happiness 

Jealousy 

Fortune 

Despondency

Correct answer:

Happiness 

Explanation:

"Felicity" is a noun used to describe happiness and contentment or something that creates happiness and contentment. For clarification, "despondency" is a feeling of hopelessness.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

AILMENT

Possible Answers:

Clandestine

Sickness 

Obstinate 

Dogma 

Treatment 

Correct answer:

Sickness 

Explanation:

An "ailment" is an affliction or a sickness. For clarification, "clandestine" means secret or underground, "dogma" refers to a system of belief or a doctrine, and "obstinate" means stubborn.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes

Synonyms: choose the word with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Dependable

Possible Answers:

Ordinary

Tolerable

Reliable

Successful

Rare

Correct answer:

Reliable

Explanation:

"Reliable" means dependable.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

AMIABLE

Possible Answers:

Radical 

Good-natured 

Erratic 

Recalcitrant 

Ill-tempered

Correct answer:

Good-natured 

Explanation:

"Amiable" means good-natured. "Ill-tempered" means cantankerous, so it is an antonym of "amiable," not a "synonym." For clarification, "erratic" means unpredictable or devoid of a pattern, "recalcitrant" means unruly and disobedient, and "radical" means favoring major changes.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

SIZEABLE

Possible Answers:

Rural

Unused

Wasteful

Substantial

Unwilling

Correct answer:

Substantial

Explanation:

"Sizeable" means substantial, so "substantial," an adjective that means very large, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "sizeable": "unwilling" means hesitant or not willing or ready to do something, as you might infer from the word being a combination of the negative prefix "un-," which means not, and "willing"; "unused" means original or new, or in other words, not used, as you might have inferred from the word also including the negative prefix "un-"; "rural" means located in or having qualities of the countryside as opposed to cities; and "wasteful" means spending or using too much or more than that is needed.

Example Question #71 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

EGOTIST

Possible Answers:

Conceited person 

Calm person 

Wise person 

Selfless person 

Athletic person 

Correct answer:

Conceited person 

Explanation:

An "egotist" is a selfish and conceited person. For clarification, "conceited" means self-obsessed and arrogant.

Example Question #72 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

LEGIBLE

Possible Answers:

Humorous

Energetic

Intelligent

Readable

Rash

Correct answer:

Readable

Explanation:

"Legible" means neat enough to be read and understood, so "readable" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "legible": "intelligent" means smart; "energetic" means lively or possessing a lot of energy; "rash" means reckless or careless; and "humorous" means funny.

Example Question #73 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms

Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

PACIFY

Possible Answers:

soothe

surrender

dismiss

a baby's toy

agree

Correct answer:

soothe

Explanation:

"Pacify" means to soothe or ease.

Example Question #74 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Each of the following questions consists of one word followed by five words or phrases. You are to select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

FORTIFY

Possible Answers:

bend

serve

inspire

strengthen

win

Correct answer:

strengthen

Explanation:

Fortify most nearly means strengthen as in "After the attack, the governor elected to fortify the city".

Example Question #75 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Unify

Possible Answers:

to bring together

to separate

to extend

to order

to impress

Correct answer:

to bring together

Explanation:

"Unify" means to bring together.

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